Colours of nature balm the soul at artist’s exhibition
AN UPLIFTING uplifting new exhibition has gone on show at the ArtHouse in Southport.
Louisa Morgan is an artist who specialises in painting and print making as well as experimenting through mixed media.
Louisa, originally from Altrincham in Cheshire, moved to Southport seven years ago and discovered Southport Contemporary Arts and the gallery in Eastbank Street by chance while exploring the town.
A qualified art teacher, Louisa began making her own art again after a break from professional practice.
She said: “I aim to make original art accessible to everyone and to share my skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.”
Louisa currently teaches art to young adults with a range of learning disabilities and has recently started getting back into her own arts practice after taking time out from teaching and having her first child.
The Covid-19 pandemic has provided Louisa with even more new challenges and parameters during lockdown.
“There have been a lot of changes to everyone’s lives recently that we could never have imagined. Some good changes, some bad changes and some just weird.”
Louisa’s work has seen a subjective change in direction. Much of her past work had been monochromatic and based around the subjects of portraiture and urban landscape.
However, in more recent works, this has now been turned on its head, increasingly being influenced by nature and especially colour – pushing herself away from traditional subject matter.
The natural beauty of small birds, with their bright and striking colours, has been a particular inspiration for Louisa.
She said: “For the theme of birds (which I started before Covid-19 was even a concern), I’ve enjoyed working on some mixed media hummingbirds using a mix of pens, pencils, water-soluble pencils and watercolour paints. They’re such beautiful tiny creatures.”
Recently she has further explored using mixed media to create a series of abstract works responding to nature by focusing on colour and the fluidity of mark-making.
Southport Contemporary Art’s director, Norrie BewickCalvert, said: “Louisa’s work is a pretty and delicate collection that pulls together her enjoyment of creating unique watercolour paintings and handcrafted prints. These are complemented by her quirky jewellery.”
Louisa’s charismatic artwork will be on display at the ArtHouse, Eastbank Street, Southport, until Saturday, October 3. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 3pm and on Saturday from 11am until 4pm.
In line with Government advice, the SCA team have introduced strict measures to keep visitors to the gallery as safe as possible. There will be a policy of two visitors at a time, with social distancing once inside, and hand sanitiser dispensers at the door to use on arrival.